The problem with this sale is that it's driving used truck, especially late model, low mile truck prices down. And yet, there are still no buyers in the numbers they hoped for. Ford QC is as low as I've seen it. So many recalls, so many warranty issues. I'm sort of in the new truck market, and there isn't a Ford I would trust right now.

I talked to the former owner of a local dealer the other day. He is personally acquainted with the Ford CEO Jim Farley. He believes that Ford has lost touch with the truck market. No longer values rugged durability over tech and luxury. The upcoming generation of F150 will be so electronically controlled, so tech heavy, that most here will be shocked. We are talking about full drive by wire. No more mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels, and no more mechanical/hydraulic link to the brakes. Everything controlled through a computer.

 

No surprise and I think we all new it just a matter of time. More tech, higher buy in and more issues. For $80K, I could get a fully restored mid to late 70s Ford Highboy with the Godzilla 7.3L and air conditioning, leather and power accessories. I'd gladly buy the Highboy.

 

Not to mention, it will retain it's value if used, and gain value if not used often. Also, no sensors constantly logging info, and no telematics transmitting that data back to Ford for them to monetize. And with the older truck, you own it outright. No issues with right to repair, proprietary software, or the threat of locking you out of the truck for failing to do the latest download, or not abiding by a vague user agreement. Oh, those things are coming, have no doubt, unless the courts or politicians step in.

 

Additionally, at least here in Virginia, it would still be a 50 year old truck no matter how much it cost and personal property taxes would commensurate. An $80K 2026 truck in Virginia would probably cost over $1200 every six months.

 

That's why I live in Texas with 5 cars, one truck, one boat, two Sea doo's and seven motorcycles it's just plain cheaper lol.

 

So is any of this stuff a thing? Or are you just saying that is what is to come [in the future] . ?

 

This is on a NEW truck? $925.00 a month? Wow,...I could NEVER afford that! With car and truck prices as they are today,...I would go pre-owned,but that's just me.

 

I'm planning to bite the hook,...but not for at LEAST another year yet,...but I KNOW what I want now at least,...and it WON'T be brand new! This last Thursday I test drove a 2023 Ford F-150 STX 4x4 with the 2.7L V6(2023 STILL too new for me to afford,so I'm looking nothing newer than 2021 and nothing older than maybe 2019). That 2.7L Ecoboost has some 'get up and go',...WOW! The truck rode really nice and it was quiet! My days of buying brand new are over!

 

Telematics, yes If you have Sync3 or later. Ford gets all of the information from your truck. Run times, speed, number of stops, tuns, acceleration, braking, maintenance, oil life, etc.

 

If I were set on pre-owned, I'd go through carmax. Yes, they do only deal in one price for the purchase but they will negotiate the trade. The main reason why I'd go carmax is for the warranty. They'll warranty it out to 150K and they'll back it. There isn't a dealer in the country that will do that on a truck that's already logged 50k or 60k miles, Ford CPO will be as good as it gets plus maybe a dealer sold 3rd party warranty.

 

My days of buying brand new are over,though,...I would HAVE to go pre-owned!

 

Well,...and this is only my opinion,... I'd trust a Ford before I'd trust a GM truck. GM has had more than their share of problems with transmission issues and engine issues!

They have Ford beat on the engine problems, at least with the 6.2. But Ford and GM developed their 10 speed transmissions together. The half ton versions are almost the same transmission, and the 3/4 ton and up versions are very similar inside, even if the hood of the truck says Allison on it. Allison had nothing to do with that transmission, except getting pair to put their name on the hood.

And I think 6.2 failures are not much worse in numbers than 2.7 failures.The simple truth today is that no one makes anything that's truly solid and reliable anymore. I feel like we're back in the mid 70s-early 80s, as far as quality of manufactured goods goes. The first company to get quality, and reliability back on track will steal customers from the other 2 meaningful truck makers. That having been said, Ram has the best transmission in the business, and has fewer engine failures making the news.

Ford needs to step up, and do so right now. Instead Ford is informing the automotive press that the next F150 will have steering and braking by wire, all electronic, and computer controlled. No more steering linkage to the wheel, and no more master cylinder linkage to the pedal. Not even hydraulic brakes, electronically activated. I can tell you right now, if that really happens, that's a truck that I will never buy.

 

Carmax only sells pre-owned

 

The last day that Ford offered the 3.3L in the f150 made Ford less reliable than the day before. You never heard many complaints about the 3.7L, 3.5L and the 3.3L V6s because they were naturally aspirated and simple by standard. They did lack great power but lets be honest with ourselves, the N/A V6 trucks would haul a truck load of wood, top soil, plywood, etc. They would pull a 6x8 open trailer just fine, they just won't set you back in your seat.

I think that the most reliable full size truck going right now is the superduty with the 7.3L godzilla.

But, to be fair to all truck segments, I think the Ranger with the 2.3L is Ford crown jewel of reliability.